While it’s always easy to identify the more expensive bats and pitchers on a slate, it’s usually the value pieces that make the biggest difference in your lineup. Nothing is better than hitting on a player with sub-10% ownership play and seeing yourself jump up the leaderboard in this process. In this article, I’ll go over some players that not only will help you save some salary but could potentially be one of those difference makers. As always, feel free to follow me on the ol’ Twitter machine @SBuchanan24.
Set your DraftKings lineups here: MLB $400K Relay Throw [$100K to 1st]
SP Jon Gray, COL vs. SD ($7,500)
I know people hit playing starting pitchers in Coors Field. I’m one of you, trust me. However, I do think we have a reason to consider using Gray this evening. Ironically, he pitched better at Coors than he did on the road last season, posting a .315 wOBA with a 3.71 FIP with only eight of his 19 home runs allowed. That’s quite impressive for someone who tossed 75 and one third innings at the world’s most hitter-friendly ballpark. The Padres did have success against him at Coors last season, however, Gray also had a 31.6 K% in those games. This isn’t a safe play by any means but in a tournament, I would be banking on the potential strikeout upside here at a mid-tier salary.
2B/3B Mike Moustakas, CIN at DET ($3,600)
I wrote up Moose as my favorite value play on this slate already over on my MLB Cheat Sheet article but he’s worth talking about again. This is such an absurd salary for him that I can’t leave him on the board. While Spencer Turnbull ($8,100) didn’t necessarily struggle against lefties last season with his .347 wOBA, 4.16 FIP and seven of his 14 home runs allowed, Moose dominated righties. If I told you without showing his name that you could roster a hitter tonight who is only $3,600 and posted a .342 wOBA with a .264 ISO and 24 of his 35 home runs, it would be a no-brainer. That’s exactly what you get tonight with my man on the Reds. We don’t have much to think about here.
OF Kevin Pillar, BOS at NYY ($3,600)
The Red Sox will be facing Jordan Montgomery ($7,800), who hasn’t pitched much over the past two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Quite frankly, I don’t really know what we’ll get out of him tonight against the Red Sox. If there is one thing I do know, however, it’s that Pillar excels against lefties. Last season he had a .328 wOBA with a .241 ISO and nine of his 21 home runs on the year. That’s even after spending the majority of the year with the Giants, who primarily play in pitcher-friendly ballparks. He’ll be in a friendly ballpark tonight and could easily pay off his low $3,600 salary.
OF Michael Brantley, HOU at LAA ($2,800)
I don’t know if I’m missing something here but the cleanup hitter for the Houston Astros continues to be criminally underpriced. The same Houston Astros that enters this game averaging 5.5 runs per game this season. He’ll face Matt Andriese ($5,800), who will make his first start since 2018 after being used in a relief role in 2019 with the Diamondbacks. He has not done well as a starter in the past, so I can’t imagine this being much different. As for Brantley, he posted some of his best offensive numbers on the road against righties last season with a .389 wOBA, a .232 ISO and nine home runs. This price is so insanely low that you have to take it.
2B Hanser Alberto, BAL vs. TB ($3,500)
Alberto will be a very low owned play this evening as the Orioles are set to oppose Blake Snell ($10,800). Snell was scheduled for a short outing his first time out and while that was true, his ineffectiveness led him to just two innings. Granted, he struck out five in that span but he threw 46 pitches and walked two batters. If Snell isn’t yet up to a form where he can dominate like he has, this could be a really sneaky spot for Alberto. He’s been a lefty slayer and proved that again last night, hitting a first inning two-run shot off J.A. Happ. While he doesn’t bring a ton of power with just a .136 ISO against lefties, his .400 wOBA over 227 plate appearances last season is extremely impressive.
Set your DraftKings lineups here: MLB $400K Relay Throw [$100K to 1st]
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jedlow) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.